Newyddion
Welsh Schools National Cross-Country Championships 2025 Round-Up
24/02/2025 00:00, I Mewn Blog /
A brief weather window greeted the athletes for the 62nd staging of the Welsh Schools “Nationals” last Wednesday. With the course firm underfoot this led to a sequence of 8 highly competitive races as the cream of our young endurance athletes battled it out for team and individual titles as well as selection for the SIAB International to be held in Falkirk.
Leah Rhodes crossing the finish line.
The event got underway with the Junior Girls race at 1pm. This saw the first of some really close finishes across the age groups on the day. The win went to Leah Rhodes (Bassaleg) who edged out Ariana Sullivan (Gwyndy) and Seren Kirk (Caer Elen), both recording the same finish time. Cardiff & the Vale made a good start to their defence of the overall team title as they packed 6 scorers into the top 24, but it was Dyfed who took the team title by a 6 point margin with Afan Nedd Tawe collecting the bronze.
Elliott Rowe racing towards first place
Next up were the Junior Boys (school years 8 and 9). The victory in this race went to Elliott Rowe (Connah’s Quay) with a typically dominant performance. Silver went to Nate Greig (Bryntirion) and bronze went to Oliver Cobbold (Bishopston). It was the turn of Glamorgan Valleys to take the team title as they were closed out by Jude Jenkins (Porthcawl) in 16th. Cardiff & the Vale and North East Wales taking the other team medals.
Race 3 saw the Senior Girls battle it out, it was Millie Gold (St David’s College) who took the spoils, following a predicted shoot-out with Abigail Doherty (Deeside College) and Beca Bown (Bodedern) who took the other medals. Cardiff & Vale dominated the team event as the only District able to finish 6 athletes.
Jacob Moss approaching the finish line
The Year 7 races are always an unknown quantity with so many running their first Championship at National level. This year’s winners were firstly Jacob Moss (Bishop of Llandaff) and then Alesha Santos (Bryncellynog) taking their first individual titles. Jacob winning a close fought battle with Cardiff & the Vale team-mates Zac Munn (Glantaf) and Farley Prichard (also Glantaf). The officials had the task of separating the first three girls as they finished within 1 second of each other. Alesha’s win was the highlight of a great battle resulting in Gwen Hayes (Brynhyfryd) holding off twin sister Ella (also Brynhyfryd) to take silver over their 2580m race. North East Wales took the girls team prize, with Cardiff & the Vale winning the boys.
Victory in the Senior Boys went to the in-form Ifan Bowen (Bro Myrddin) Silver went to the ever-consistent Rhys Pladdy (Llanishen), always a good bet at Brecon, with Miguel Jenkins (Friars) taking another WSAA medal with the bronze. The team title went to Cardiff & the Vale with Dyfed and Glamorgan Valleys collecting silver and bronze.
Bryony Boyce claiming first place in middle girls category
The absence of last year’s Middle Girls champion Libby Hale opened up race 7 as the Year 10 & 11 girls lined up over 4,500m. Bryony Boyce (Cathedral), last Year’s Junior Girls winner, made a seamless step up into the age group after a very successful winter taking the win ahead of Holly Humphries (Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr) and Heather Watson (Hawarden). Osian Parry (David Hughes) was another making the step up from the Juniors as he took victory in the final race of the day, Will Chalk (Monmouth) finished 1second behind (17:18) to take silver with Dyfed’s Sam Griffiths (Bro Myrddin) a further second behind to take the day’s final individual medal. With 6 finishers in the first 28 Cardiff & the Vale took a comfortable team win leaving Glamorgan Valleys and South East Wales behind in second and third. The Middle Girls team medals again went to Cardiff & the Vale as they took an equally comfortable team win from Dyfed and Glamorgan Valleys.
It was Cardiff & the Vale who again took the overall team title. This was testament to a series of consistent performances throughout the day and the ability to field full senior teams when other districts struggle for numbers.
The thanks of all at WSAA goes to all those who contributed to another successful day, especially to our team of dedicated volunteer officials and Welsh Athletics staff who make the delivery of events possible. Individual medals were awarded by WSAA Chair Steve Jones and Immediate Past Chair Jo Warner on the day.
Thoughts now turn to the SIAB Cross Country to be held at Callendar Park, Falkirk on 22 March 2025. The first 6 from the Junior and Middle races are all automatic qualifiers for this event. The remaining places and relay spots will be decided in a selection meeting to be held shortly. Congratulations to all athletes selected to represent their School Districts in Brecon.
Steve Jones, WSAA Chair